On May 27th, four Team BC athletes traveled to Albuquerque New Mexico for the ABA Spring nationals and UCI Class 4 & 5 events.  The team was made up of Tory Nyhaug, Steven Creighton, Amanda Landers and James Palmer.  Mischa Partridge was intending to attend the project until an injured suffered in Abbotsford the weekend before sidelined him.  This was Amanda and James’s first team project so I had them write about their experience.

For my first team BC trip we went to Albuquerque, New Mexico. It was an awesome trip! First off it was so much warmer than anywhere I have been lately, so I was happy to be in the heat. Thursday when we got to the hotel, lucky me, I got my own room because I was the only girl. When we went and checked out the track it looked pretty nice. The fact that it was topped with soil-tac was a new concept to me, and I would say after riding it for 3 days, I would maybe suggest it. It was nice because it was really smooth, but when you got to the corners you could fell every bump around the entire corner. Friday’s practice was good, I spent most of the time getting a feel for the track and trying to get my timing right on the ABA gate. Racing on Saturday went okay. I only raced 3 other girls, and the transfer was 1-2 to the main. I got second on the first moto, and because the girl who got first transferred I got first on the second one. Adam told me that I had to be careful on the last corner about opening up and not holding onto my line. When the third moto came around I didn’t hold onto my line and ended up getting third. It was an alright finish, I knew I could have done better, but at the same time I also knew that I was sick. After racing we, James, Adam, Tory and I, all went to the Outback for dinner, then we headed off to Old Town to do some sight-seeing. It was nice to get out and see something other than the track and our hotel rooms. Sunday racing was good too! I raced the same girls, but this time in the 3rd round, the main, I held onto my line and ended up with second!
- Amanda Landers

This being my first TBC trip, it went extremely well. We travelled to Albuquerque, New Mexico where it was very warm. I wasn’t too excited about how hot it was, but it was much nicer than racing in the rain. When we arrived Thursday afternoon we went to the hotel, got all settled in and went to take a look at the track. I was lucky enough to be rooming with Canada’s number one rider, Tory Nyhaug. The hotel we were staying was very nice, and we were all able to get our own beds. Also, we had plenty of food because we went shopping Friday morning. Adam got all are necessary items, and we were able to buy any other goods we felt was needed for ourselves to perform our best. Having Adam there was also very helpful. Unfortunately, I got a flat tire Sunday morning about half an hour before my race, but, lucky for me, Adam was there to fix it while I checked my motos and got warmed up. Furthermore, this trip was a great experience and also extremely fun. I look forward to going on another TBC trip.
- James Palmer

Team Results:
Tory – 3rd in Jr men on Saturday, 1st in A pro Sunday
Steven- 8th in Jr men on Sunday
Amanda – 3rd and 2nd in 15 female
James – 1/4s in 15 Expert both days